Stormwater management system
A stormwater management system includes a plurality of first cells arranged in a lower level and a plurality of second cells arranged in an upper level, each of the first cells having a body portion with an internal region, the first cells in fluid communication with one another, each of the second cells having a body portion having an inner surface with a substantially cylindrical shape and defining an internal region, each of the second cells stacked on a corresponding one of the first cells, the first cells and the second cells in combination constituting a plurality of stacked pairs, for each stacked pair the internal region of the first cell is in fluid communication with the internal region of the second cell to permit stormwater to flow from the internal region of the first cell to the internal region of the second cell.
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APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND Field of the InventionThe present invention pertains to a cell for a stormwater management system adapted for retaining or detaining stormwater.
SUMMARYOne aspect of the present disclosure is a stormwater management system including a plurality of first cells and a plurality of second cells. The plurality of first cells are arranged in a lower level, with each of the first cells having a body portion with an internal region. The first cells of the lower level are in fluid communication with one another to allow stormwater to flow from the internal region of one of the first cells to the internal region of another of the first cells. The plurality of second cells are arranged in an upper level, with each of the second cells having a body portion having an inner surface. The inner surface of each of the second cells has a substantially cylindrical shape and defines an internal region. Each of the second cells is stacked on a corresponding one of the first cells, with the first cells and the second cells in combination constituting a plurality of stacked pairs. Each stacked pair of the plurality of stacked pairs includes one of the first cells and one of the second cells. The first cells and the second cells are shaped and arranged such that for each stacked pair the internal region of the first cell is in fluid communication with the internal region of the second cell to permit stormwater to flow from the internal region of the first cell to the internal region of the second cell.
Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/710,230, filed May 12, 2015 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,032, filed Feb. 12, 2016 are both incorporated herein in their entireties.
An embodiment of a stormwater management system is shown in
The stormwater management system 30 comprises a plurality of cells 32. Each cell 32 is made from a material suitable for use within a stormwater management system, including, but not limited to, concrete. The plurality of cells 32 are arranged in a generally honeycomb configuration. As can be seen in
As shown in
An exemplary cell 42 located within the upper level of cells 36 is shown in
An exemplary cell 53 located within the intermediate level of cells 38 is shown in
An embodiment of an individual cell 64 located within the lower level of cells 40 is shown in
As can be seen in
As shown in
The stormwater management system 30 is formed by arranging the lower level of cells 40, the intermediate level of cells 38, and the upper level of cells 36 in a generally honeycomb configuration. The intermediate level of cells 38 is arranged between the lower level of cells 40 and the upper level of cells 36. The upper level of cells 36 is arranged such that each one of the top portions 44 is in contact with the top portion 44 of another cell. Some of the upper level of cells 36 are arranged such that the top portions 44 of the cells are in contact with the top portions 44 of at least two other cells.
Another embodiment of an individual cell 82 that could be located within the upper level of cells 36 is shown in
An alternative embodiment of an individual cell 106 that could be located within the lower level of cells 40 is shown in
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the upper level of cells 36 within the stormwater management system 30 could be assembled of cells consistent with cell embodiment 42, cells consistent with cell embodiment 82, or cells consistent with cell embodiments 42 and 82. Similarly, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the lower level of cells 40 could be assembled of cells consistent with cell embodiment 64, cells consistent with cell embodiment 106, or cells consistent with cell embodiments of 64 and 106.
One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the stormwater management system 30 can be formed such that the intermediate level of cells 38 is omitted. Alternatively, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the stormwater management system 30 can be formed such that the stormwater management system includes more than one intermediate level of cells.
Another embodiment of a stormwater management system is shown in
Another embodiment of a stormwater management system is shown in
An exemplary cell 408 located within the upper level of cells 704 is shown in
An exemplary cell 410 located within the lower level of cells 708 is also shown in
Another embodiment of a cell 500 capable of being located within the upper level of cells 704 is shown in
Another embodiment of a cell 600 capable of being located within the lower level of cells 708 is also shown in
Although depicted as having two levels off cells 402, it should be understood that stormwater management system 400 can have a single level of cells 402 in some embodiments. In such cases, cells 402 may include a top and/or bottom portion. In these embodiments, stormwater management system 400 is similar to the stormwater management system 300 depicted in
A method of manufacturing a stormwater management module comprises positioning an inner mold component 442 and an outer mold component 444 relative to each other such that the inner mold component is within the outer mold component. As seen in
After the inner mold component 442 is located within the outer mold component 444, liquid concrete is poured between the interior surface of the outer mold component and the exterior surface 452 of the inner mold component so as to at least partially fill the internal region. The liquid concrete is allowed to cure to form the stormwater management module. After the liquid concrete cures, the stormwater management module is separated from the inner and outer mold components 442, 444. To separate the outer mold component 444 from the module, the walls 445 of the outer mold component are unlatched from each other.
Another embodiment of a stormwater management system is shown in
Interior cell 711 of lower level 708 is similar to cell 600 and differs to the extent described herein. Corner cell 705b and side cell 707b, both of lower level 708, are similar to lower cell 600 but differ in the number of windows therein and otherwise differ as described herein. Referring to
The plurality of cells 702 are arranged in the upper level 704 and the lower level 708. Each cell 702 of upper level 704 is in fluid communication with at least one cell 702 of lower level 708. The cells 702 of lower level 708 have internal regions in fluid communication with one another to allow stormwater to flow from the internal region of one of the cells 702 to the internal region of adjacent cells 702. The corner and side cells 702 of upper level 704 have internal regions in fluid communication with one another to allow stormwater to flow from the internal region of one of the cells 702 of lower level 708 to the internal region of another of the cells 702 of the lower level 708. In an alternative embodiment, each cell 702 of the upper level 704 is in sufficient fluid communication only with the cell 702 of the lower level 708 upon which it is stacked to permit stormwater to flow between the internal region of the cell 702 of the upper level 704 and the cell 702 of the lower level 708 upon which it is stacked. In other words, in such an alternative embodiment, stormwater can rapidly flow from the internal region of a cell of the lower level upwardly to the internal region of the cell stacked on the cell of the lower level, but stormwater in the internal region of a cell of the upper level cannot rapidly and directly flow to the internal region of an adjacent cell of the upper level.
In alternative embodiments, stormwater management system 700 includes additional levels (not shown). Upper level 704 and/or lower level 708 may be intermediate levels with additional levels above and/or below. Furthermore, in some alternative embodiments, an intermediate level is positioned between upper level 704 and lower level 708. In all embodiments, at least one cell of each level is in fluid communication with at least one other cell of the adjacent levels. This arrangement provides for fluid communication between all adjacent levels.
Corner cells 705a and 705b have two sides that form a portion of the periphery of stormwater management system 700. Side cells 707a and 707b have a single side that forms a portion of the periphery of stormwater management system 700. Each side of each interior cell 711 and 713 is adjacent another cell 702. Corner cells 705a are in fluid communication with adjacent side sells 707a in upper level 704 and corner cells 705b are in fluid communication with adjacent side sells 707b in lower level 708. Side cells 707a are in fluid communication with adjacent side cells 707a and adjacent corner cells 705a in upper level 704. Side cells 707b are in fluid communication with adjacent side cells 707b, adjacent interior cells 711 and adjacent corner cells 705b in lower level 708. In upper level 704, side cells 707a and corner cells 705a are not in fluid communication with interior cells 713. In other words, the body portion of each interior cell 713 is devoid of windows through which stormwater may flow. As explained in greater detail later herein with reference to
As depicted, stormwater management system 700 is rectangular and includes cells 702 having a square or rectangular cross section. In alternative embodiments, cells 702 have alternative configurations, e.g., are hexagonal, triangular, generally polygonal, ovoid, circular, or the like. Stormwater management system 700 may also have other configurations of tessellated cells 702, e.g., a honeycomb configuration or other configurations that fit together without leaving any spaces. In these alternative embodiments, interior cells 713 and 711 and outer cells, including side cells 707a and 707b and/or corner cells 705a and 705b, are configured to function as described herein with respect to the rectangular cells 702 depicted.
Referring still to
Still referring to
As shown in
Side cells 707a and corner cells 705 of upper level 704 are generally not in fluid communication with cells 702 of lower level 708. Although, at least one side cell 707a or one corner cell 705a is in fluid communication with a cell 702 of lower level 708, e.g., side cell 707b or corner cell 705b. The majority of side cells 707a and corner cells 705a of upper level 704 include solid bottom portions and are not in fluid communication with cells 702 of lower level 708. These solid portions may be scalloped as previously described herein. In further alternative embodiments, only a single corner cell 705a or a single side cell 707a of upper level 704 is in fluid communication with a cell 702 of lower level 708, e.g., a single corner cell 705b or a single side cell 707b. In still further embodiments, an internal cell of upper level 704 is in fluid communication with a first cell 711 of lower level 708, but the two cells do not form a stacked pair of the type described with reference to
Referring now to
All interior cells of upper level 704 are second cells 713. In alternative embodiments, upper level 704 includes at least one second cell 713 but can include other types of interior cells. For example, some of the interior cells 709 may be adapted and shaped to allow for fluid communication with side cells 707a of upper level 704. Such an interior cell includes at least one window 720 and may be similar to cell 711 of lower level 708.
Body portion 714 further includes a top edge 741. Some windows 720 are spaced from bottom portion 712 and some windows 720 terminate at bottom portion 712. In alternative embodiments, all windows either terminate at bottom portion 712 or are spaced from bottom portion 712. Some windows 720 are spaced from top edge 741 and some windows 720 terminate at top edge 741. In alternative embodiments, all windows either terminate at top edge 741 or are spaced top edge 741.
Each corner column 732 terminates at bottom portion 712. Bottom portion 712 includes a plurality sides 718. Bottom portion 712 further defines the bottom of internal region 34. Each corner column 732 further terminates at top edge 741.
Each corner column 732 is shaped such that the majority of each corner column 732 is spaced inwardly from the outermost edge surface 718 of bottom portion 712. A bottom region 721 of each corner column 732 is curved or shaped such that a portion of the bottom region 721 extends to the outermost edge surface 718. Because the majority of each corner column 732 is spaced inwardly from the outermost edge surface 718 of bottom portion 712, stormwater is capable of flowing around each of the corner columns 732 to an adjacent cell 702 without passing through the internal region 34. In alternative embodiments a subset of corner columns 732 are shaped and configured in this way, while the other corner columns extend to the outermost edge surface 718 throughout. In further alternative embodiments, all corner columns 732 extend to the outermost edge surface 718 throughout such that stormwater can only move between cells 702 through internal regions 34.
In some alternative embodiments, first cell 711 includes a top portion similar to bottom portion 712. Such a top portion includes an opening, aperture, or the like to allow for fluid communication between the internal regions 34 of first cell 711 and second cell 713.
Corner cells 705b and side cells 707b of lower level 708 and corner cells 705a and side cells 707a of upper level 704 include the same features as first cell 711 described above. Corner cells 705a and 705b differ from first cell 711 in at least that corner cells 705a and 705b include only two windows 720 in adjacent sides 718. The wall portions 722 of other sides 718 do not include windows 720. Side cells 707a and 707b differ from first cell 711 in at least that side cells 707a and 707b include only three windows 720 in consecutive sides 718. In some alternative embodiments, side cell 707a includes only two windows 720 in opposite sides 718. The remaining sides 718 have wall portions 722 and do not include windows 720. Side cells 707a and corner cells 705a of upper level 704 may also include scalloped portions in bottom portion 712 as previously described with reference to
Advantageously, the configuration of the cells 702 described herein allows for cells 702 to be used in either lower level 708 or upper level 704 without modification or without significant modification, e.g., bottom portion 712 may be modified to form scalloped portions. Cells 702 can be rotated or flipped to be used in either level or stacked upon a base, e.g., a concrete pad, to form multiple levels using the same or substantially the same cells 702. A bottom portion 712 can be adapted function as a top portion by rotating or flipping the cell 702.
Referring to
Body portion 814 includes a plurality of vents 821. Each vent 821 is an opening within body portion 814 that extends through body portion 814 such that a gas, e.g., air, is permitted to pass between internal region 34 and the exterior of second cell 713. This allows second cell 713 to vent air within internal region 34 of second cell 713 to the exterior as second cell 713 fills with stormwater through first cell 711. In some embodiments, second cell 713 includes eight vents 821, e.g., with each vent 821 positioned around body portion 814 and separated by forty five degrees. Vents 821 are located in a top portion 820 of body portion 814. Top portion 820 extends from a first end defined by top 812 towards the opening defined by body portion 814 opposite top 812. Top portion 820 extends towards a lower body portion 822 of body portion 814. Lower body portion 822 extends from the opening opposite top 812 towards top portion 820. The lower body portion 822 is devoid of windows, e.g., windows 720 of first cell 711. In some embodiments, lower body portion 822 is devoid of any openings.
In alternative embodiments, second cell 713 includes a different configuration of one or more vents 821. For example, and without limitation, second cell 713 may include a single vent in body portion 814, one or more vents 821 in top 812, irregularly spaced vents 821 around body portion 814, two to four vents 821 in body portion 814, four to six vents 821 in body portion 814, six or more vents 821 in body portion 814, or the like.
In some alternative embodiments, second cell 713 includes a bottom portion similar to top portion 812. Such a bottom portion includes an opening, aperture, or the like to allow for fluid communication between the internal regions 34 of first cell 711 and second cell 713.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring generally to
Although depicted as having two levels off cells 702, it should be understood that stormwater management system 700 can have a single level of cells 702 in some embodiments. In such cases, cells 702 may include a top and/or bottom portion. In these embodiments, stormwater management system 700 is similar to the stormwater management system 300 depicted in
Referring generally to the Figures, one or more features of each embodiment of the stormwater management system and individual cells described herein may be combined with other embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the features and functions of the stormwater management system and cells described with reference to
It should also be understood that when introducing elements of the present invention in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, the order in which the steps of any method claim that follows are presented should not be construed in a manner limiting the order in which such steps must be performed.
Claims
1. A stormwater management system comprising:
- a plurality of first cells arranged in a lower level, each of the first cells having a body portion with an internal region, the first cells of the lower level being in fluid communication with one another to allow stormwater to flow from the internal region of one of the first cells to the internal region of another of the first cells;
- a plurality of second cells arranged in an upper level, each of the second cells having a body portion having an inner surface, the inner surface of each of the second cells having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining an internal region;
- each of the second cells being stacked on a corresponding one of the first cells, the first cells and the second cells in combination constituting a plurality of stacked pairs, each stacked pair of the plurality of stacked pairs including one of the first cells and one of the second cells;
- the first cells and the second cells being shaped and arranged such that for each stacked pair the internal region of the first cell is in fluid communication with the internal region of the second cell to permit stormwater to flow from the internal region of the first cell to the internal region of the second cell.
2. A stormwater management system according to claim 1, wherein the body portion of the second cells comprises a cylindrical body portion, the cylindrical body portion defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lower body portion extending from the first end towards the second end, and a top portion extending from the second end towards the lower body portion, the first end defining a first opening adapted to permit passage of stormwater into and out of the interior region, the substantially cylindrically shaped inner surface defined by the cylindrical body portion, the lower body portion being devoid of windows.
3. A stormwater management system according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical body portion comprises a right circular cylinder.
4. A stormwater management system according to claim 2, wherein each stacked pair is adapted to receive stormwater into the internal region of the first cell and, as stormwater rises above the first cell, to receive stormwater into the interior region of the second cell through the first end of the second cell, wherein the stormwater within the interior region of the second cell is contained by the body portion being devoid of windows.
5. A stormwater management system according to claim 2, wherein each of the second cells further comprises a top, the top covering the second end.
6. A stormwater management system according to claim 5, wherein the top seals the second end, and wherein each of the second cells further comprises a vent in the top portion of the cylindrical body portion, the vent being adapted to permit a gas to exit the cylindrical body portion.
7. A stormwater management system according to claim 5, wherein the top comprises a vent, the vent being adapted to permit a gas to exit the cylindrical body portion.
8. A stormwater management system according to claim 1, wherein each stacked pair includes a first cell having at least one window in the body portion, the window adapted to permit stormwater to flow between the internal region of the first cell and the internal region of another of the first cells, and wherein the stacked pair includes a windowless second cell.
9. A stormwater management system according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the first cells, the body portion comprises a plurality of corner columns spaced from each other, a plurality of wall portions, a top, and a window, each wall portion extending from one of the corner columns towards another of the corner columns, the window being through at least one of the wall portions, the window being adapted to permit passage of stormwater into and out of the interior region of the first cell, the top including an opening in fluid communication with one of the plurality of second cells.
10. A stormwater management system according to claim 9, wherein each wall portion comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of each wall portion being curved.
11. A stormwater management system comprising:
- a plurality of first cells arranged in a lower level, each of the first cells having a body portion with an internal region, the first cells of the lower level being in fluid communication with one another to allow stormwater to flow from the internal region of one of the first cells to the internal region of another of the first cells;
- a plurality of second cells arranged in an upper level, each of the second cells having a body portion having an inner surface, the inner surface of each of the second cells having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining an internal region;
- each of the second cells being stacked on a corresponding one of the first cells, the first cells and the second cells in combination constituting a plurality of stacked pairs, each stacked pair of the plurality of stacked pairs including one of the first cells and one of the second cells;
- the first cells and the second cells being shaped and arranged such that for each stacked pair the internal region of the first cell is in fluid communication with the internal region of the second cell to permit stormwater to flow within each stacked pair from the internal region of the first cell directly to the internal region of the second cell.
12. A stormwater management system according to claim 11, wherein the body portion of the second cells comprises a cylindrical body portion, the cylindrical body portion defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lower body portion extending from the first end towards the second end, and a top portion extending from the second end towards the lower body portion, the first end defining a first opening adapted to permit passage of stormwater into and out of the interior region, the substantially cylindrically shaped inner surface defined by the cylindrical body portion, the lower body portion being devoid of windows.
13. A stormwater management system according to claim 12, wherein the cylindrical body portion comprises a right circular cylinder.
14. A stormwater management system according to claim 12, wherein each stacked pair is adapted to receive stormwater into the internal region of the first cell and, as stormwater rises above the first cell, to receive stormwater into the interior region of the second cell through the first end of the second cell, wherein the stormwater within the interior region of the second cell is contained by the body portion being devoid of windows.
15. A stormwater management system according to claim 12, wherein each of the second cells further comprises a top, the top covering the second end.
16. A stormwater management system according to claim 15, wherein the top seals the second end, and wherein each of the second cells further comprises a vent in the top portion of the cylindrical body portion, the vent being adapted to permit a gas to exit the cylindrical body portion.
17. A stormwater management system according to claim 15, wherein the top comprises a vent, the vent being adapted to permit a gas to exit the cylindrical body portion.
18. A stormwater management system according to claim 11, wherein each stacked pair includes a first cell having at least one window in the body portion, the window adapted to permit stormwater to flow between the internal region of the first cell and the internal region of another of the first cells, and wherein the stacked pair includes a windowless second cell.
19. A stormwater management system according to claim 11, wherein, for each of the first cells, the body portion comprises a plurality of corner columns spaced from each other, a plurality of wall portions, a top, and a window, each wall portion extending from one of the corner columns towards another of the corner columns, the window being through at least one of the wall portions, the window being adapted to permit passage of stormwater into and out of the interior region of the first cell, the top including an opening in fluid communication with one of the plurality of second cells.
20. A stormwater management system according to claim 19, wherein each wall portion comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of each wall portion being curved.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 16, 2016
Date of Patent: Sep 17, 2019
Patent Publication Number: 20180135292
Assignee: PRE-CON PRODUCTS (Simi Valley, CA)
Inventor: David Zarraonandia (Thousand Oaks, CA)
Primary Examiner: Carib A Oquendo
Application Number: 15/352,902
International Classification: E03F 1/00 (20060101); E03F 5/10 (20060101);